UBC Aquatics Centre

The UBC Aquatic Centre is an award-winning 61,000 square foot indoor aquatic centre on the University of British Columbia’s main campus. This facility includes a 50m competition pool, a 25m recreational pool with diving board, a warm water leisure pool and a hot tub. In addition, there is spectator seating, wet classrooms, change rooms and meeting rooms. This aquatic centre replaces the existing aging pool with a state-of-the-art building designed for a 100 year service life.

The structure consists of structural steel superstructure on cast-in-place concrete foundations with a basement and mechanical rooms below grade. Long-span steel trusses support the roof over the pools, and are supported by exposed steel square columns forming an impressive V shape. The earthquake and wind loads are resisted by steel buckling-inhibited-braces, used for their superior seismic performance as compared to conventional steel bracing systems. Steel ribs surround the building, providing framing for the elaborate cladding which creates a sculptured effect to the appearance of the facility.